Time switch



March 26, 1929. c PEACQCK 1,706,410

was: SWITCH Filed Oct a, 1926 s Sheets-Sheet 1 ATTORNEY.

March 26, 1929.

e. M. PEAcocK TIME SWITCH 6 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed Oct. 2 1926 INVENTOR;

J/ZZZHmC/r W: ATTORNEY Mam}! 1929'- c. M. PEACOCK' TIME ,swITc'H Filed 001: 2, 1926 s SheetS-Shegt 4 IN VEN TOR.

Cwr/a 55 A TTORNEYS.

Maich 26,1929. c. M. sAcocK TIME SWITCH Filed Oct. 2, 1926 6 Sheetsdheet 5 March 26, 1929'. M PEA K 1,706,410

Filed Oct 2, 1926 6 Sheets-Sheet 6 IN V EN TOR.

A TTORNEY Patented litter. 26,

UNlTED S'l" FFlQE.

Application filed October a, 19cc. Serial no. reacts.

This invention relates to improvements in time switches and it consists of the matters hereinafter described and more particularly pointed out in the appended claims.

The primary-object oi the invention is. to

provide an ellicient and compact device substantially olalarin cloclr size and appearance,

and of such simplicity as to he operable by the average person to control the switching operations or on and ofi periods for the circuits of electrically operated devices such as radio receiver sets, electric household applianccs, and show window and sign illumination.

A further object of the invention is to provide such a device, the operation cycle oi which is based on impulse movements instead oi continuous movements, whereby a more positive action is provided and whereby the operations of the devices controlled by the switch may he more positively and accurately started and stopped at definite timev periods known in advance to the setting of the switch.

These objects of the invention, as well as otherstogether with the many advantages thereof will more fully appear as I proceed with my specification.

In the drawings:

Fig. 1 is a view in front elevation of a time switch embodying my invention as coupled up with a radio receiving set to control the periods or reception thereof.

. Fig. 2 is a view in rear elevation of the switch as coupled with a plurality of lamps to control the periods of illumination afiorded thereby.

Fig. 3is a sectional View through a make and break circuit device embodied in my improved time switch with parts thereof broken away to more clearly show the interior construction thereof, the plane of the section being indicated by the line 3-3-of Fig. 5.

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary view in elevation of one of the fixed contacts embodied in the make and break circuit device shown in Fig. 3.

Fig. 5 is a vertical section through my improved time switch as taken on'the line 55 of Fig. l. Fig. 6 is a transverse vertical' detail sec tional view through the switch as taken on the line 66 of Fig-5.

Fig. 7 is a detail sectional'view through parts shown in Fig. 6 as indicated by the line 'Z7 thereon. i

Fig. 8 is a detail sectional view through part of the switch as indicated by the line v of Fig. 13. p

9 is a fragmentary view in elevation of an impulse dial and parts associated there with embodied in the-improved time switch.

Fig. 10 is a vertical section through the parts shown in Fig. 9 as taken on the line 'l0l0 thereof.

Figs. 11 and 12 are detail views in eleva tion of coasting parts "for turning the indicater shaft in one direction only and which will be more specifically referred to later.

Fig. 13 is a transverse vertical sectional view through the switch as line 13-13 of Fig. 5.

Fig. 14 is a detail sectional view through parts shown in 13 as indicated loy the line 14 14 oil said Fig. 13.

'15 is view in plan elevation ot' the parts shown at the top end of Fig. let.

Figs. 16 and 17 are detailsectional views on an enlarged scale as taken on the line ill- 1d and 17-17 respectively of Fig. 6 and which will be more fully referred to later.

I Fig. 18 is a detail perspective view onan enlarged scale of par-tot an escapement mach.

indicated lay the anism embodied in my improved switch with.

the elements thereof in one position.

Fig. 19 is a view in elevation on an. enlarged scale, of the parts shown in Fig. 18 when in another position and which will be more fully referred to later.

20 is a transverse sectional vertical view through the switch as taken on the line 20- 2o of Fig. 5..

Fig. 21 is a detail sectional viewas taken on the line 21-21 of Fig. 20.

Fig 22 is another detailsectional view as taken on the line 22+22 of Fig. 20.

Fig. 23 is a further detail sectional view as taken on the line 23-23 of Fig. 20.

Fig. 24 is a fragmentary view in elevation of parts shown in Fig. 20 but in a difierent position.

I Fig. 25 is a "fragmentary sectional view or" a modified form of impulse mechanism which may be embodied in my IIDPIOVBdSWltCh, the

plane of the section being indicated by the line 25-25 of Fig. 26.

Fig. 26 is a detail sectional view as taken on the line 26-26 of Fig. 25.

Fig. 27 is another detail sectional view as taken on the line 27-27 of Fig. 25.

ltltl ice . appear later.

Fig. 28 is a detail view shdwing a modified arrangement of the rotary contact driving mechanism and which will be more fully described later.

Referring now in detail to that embodiment of the invention illustrated in Figs. 1 to 24 inclusive of the accompan ing drawings My improved switch is embodied in a casing similar to an alarm clock and which comprises an annular front casing part 1 and an annular rear casing part 2. The front casing part includes an annular wall 3 and a flat upright rear wall 4, the annular wall having a radial flange 5 at its front end of enlarged diameter. The rear casing part includes an annular wall 6 and an upright flat rear wall 7, the annular wall at its front end fitting over the rear end of the casing part 1 as best shown in Fig. 5. On the vertical median line at the top of the casing wall 7 is anopening 8 the purpose of which will more fully appear later. Extending radially from the annular wall 3 of the casing 1 at the bottom thereof are feet 3 3 and extending rearwardly and downwardly from the bottom portion of the rear wall of the rear casing 2 is a third foot 2 all of said feet providing a stable base for the casing as a whole. Within the rear casing part 2 and spaced adjacent the rear wall 7 thereof is an upright plate 9 supported in the proper position by means of long studsand nuts 10'extending between the rear walls 4 and 7 of said casing parts. Projecting forwardly from the easing wall 4 in axial alignment with the easin part is a fixed non-rotative bushing 11 of su stantially large diameter.

The open front end of the casing part 1 is' closed, b a dial supporting plate )12 having its peripfi 12 and with a portion 12 spaced radially 1nward therefrom, offset rearwardly to provide an annular track the purpose of which will On the plate 12 within the ofiset portion 12 is a dial 13/covered by a suitable-glass 14. 'The dial is divided into twelve hourdivisions by radial lines'13 and each hour division is subdivided into quarters (instead of fifths as in ordinary clocks) by radial lines 13 The lines 13 13 thus together divide the dial into forty-eight divisions, each indicating one quarterrof an hour or fifteen minutes. This manner of dividing the dial is only arbitraryand is to be taken as b way of explanation only and not by way 0 limitation. Appearing on the dial is a circular arrow 13 which begins and ends at that radial line designating the ninth hour which arrow indicates the beginning duration and ending of the cycle during which a-certain switch escapement later to be described is free to close the circuit to be controlled ata given setting. This stated hour is just arbitary. In the portion 12 of the dial plate is provided inner and outer eral portion offset forwardly as at concentric rows of openings 15 and 16 respectively with the openings disposed in the radial, lanes of the division lines 1313 on the ial. J ournalled coaxially in the dial plate 12 is a bearing member 17 which is fixed to the front end of a spindle or shaft 18. The rear end of said spindle bears in an opening in the late 9 andfixed thereto is a bushing 18% side bushing. carries a disc 19 (between the plate 9 and rear wall 7) and said disc has a notch 19' (see Fig. 20)and rotative on that end'of the spindle beyond the bushing is a knob 20 having a tooth 20 to enter the notch 18*. In this manner it is only possible to turn the spindle 18 in a clockwise direction. A nut 18 is threaded onto the spindle end to prevent complete withdrawal of the knob from the spindle. On the extreme front end of the spindle 18 is fixed an indicator or hand 21 in a manner to cooperate with the division markings on the dial 13. Fitted on the spindle 18 between the member 17 and bushing 18, respectively, is a tube 22 which is capable of a limited endwise movement on said spindle. On the rear end of said tube is an annular pallet engaging shoulder 22 and on the front end of said tube is a radial flange 22 Journalled in the front end of the non-rotative bushing 11 is a tubular bearing sleeve 23. Said sleeve carries at its front end a disc 24 having a forwardly extending annular flange 24 in which is formed a plurality of arcuately spaced ratchet-shaped notches 24", there being one of such notches for each of the time divisions 13 13 thus making in all, forty-eight of saidnotches. On the rear side of said disc is an annular housing 25 including a radial flange having peripheral teeth to form a large spur gear 26. Within this housing is a flat spiral spring 27 the outer end of which is fixed to said housing and the inner end of which is fixed to a tubular sleeve 28 journalled on the front end of the non-rotative bushing 11.

The ratchet-shaped notches 24 each have a rear straight face and a front inclined face andthe words rear and front are only relative so far as the normal direction of rotation of said disc is concerned. These notches have two,functions; the straight face driving the indicator 21 through 'a certain pawl means later to be described, in a clockwise direction under the action of the spring 27 while the front inclined face permits said pawl means to be turned manually in a clockwise direction by means of the knob 20 independent of saidnotches. On the rear end of the sleeve 28 is secured a gear 29 which carries a pawl 33 on its rear face. Said gear mesheswith a main winding gear'30 fixed to 'the forward end of a shaft 31 arranged paralkey 31 projecting beyond the casing wall 7 so that it may be turned to wind up the spring 27.

Also rotatively mounted on the bushing 11 to the rear of the sleeve 28 is a second sleeve 32 on which is fixed a ratchet 28 and spur gear 33 (see dotted lines in Fig. 13). Said pawl 33* engages the ratchet 28* and holds the spring 27 against unwinding except when it is driving a snap switch as will later appear when it unwinds from the inner end and from the outer end when driving the indicator. When the main spring is being wound up the pawl slips backwards over the ratchet. lhe gear 33 meshes with a pinion 34: on a shaft 3d positioned parallel with and vertically above the spindle shaft 18. Said shaft which constitutes an escapement shaft is journalled at its inner or front end in a bushing lined to the casing wall 4 and its rear end extends through the plate 9 and through the opening 8 in the rear casing wall 7 to be journalled in the front wall 35 of a circular switch casing 35. Said switch casing is mounted on the rear casing wall 7 so as to cover the opening 8 and is supported by studs 35 projecting rearwardly from the plate 9. On the shaft 34: be tween the casing wall l and plate 9 is an escapement device including two fan blades 349 346 each carrying a pallet 342 and 346 respectively with the pallets disposed in longitudinally spaced planes as best shown in Fig. 5. Said pallets are adapted to engage the annular shoulder 22 on the tube :22 which is adapted to engage and hold the escapement, the pallet 34 engaging the shoulder when it is at the limit of its movement rearwardly as shown in Fig. 5 and hereinafter referred to as the 0d pallet of this escapement and the pallet 34 engaging the shoulder when it is in its forward movement (as hereinafter described) and hereinafter referred to as the on pallet of this escapement.

lhe switch casing 35 which is closed at its open rear end by'an insulated cover 86 includes an annular wall 35 on the interior of which is fixed a ring of insulation 35. In said casing are two oppositely disposed fixed contacts 37-38 the free ends of which are made arcuate and are slit longitudinally to a plurality of yielding contact fingers 39 (see l) whereby better contact engagement by a movable contact member is possible. Connected to each fixed contact is a conductor 40-4lsuitably hooked up in the circuit of the device or apparatus the oil and on periods ofwhich are to be controlled by the time switch as a whole. 42 indicates a stud or shaft finedpoaxially in the front wall 35 of the switch casin and extendinerean wardly therefrom. dournalled in this stud or shaft is a bushing 43 and secured to the front end of said bushing is a gear it meshing with a pinion 45 on the rear end of the escapement shaft 34. Also fixed on said bushing is a ,disc-of insulation 46 of substantially the interior diameter of the switch casing and re tative with said disc but insulated from the bushing by said disc is a rotative contact member including contact shoes or arms at and 48 respectively adapted to engage the fixed contacts 37 and 38 in succession. 0n the marginal portion of the disc on the front side thereof are suitable markings 4:9 visible from the front of the time switch as a whole through a sight opening 35 in the rear wall of the switch casing. By said markin s which in this instance are the words on and off, it is possible to visibly determine the position of the movable contact arms with respect to the lined contact arms and whether or not they are in engagement therewith. The gearing between the bushing 43 and shaf l is of a peculiar kind. The gear 4:42 is A liptical gear and the pinion do is ordinary spur pinion set eccentrically on the escapement shaft 34. The said and pinion so mesh that when the contact shoes engage the fixed contacts and the resi greatest, the major axis 0L 1 and the minor ai-zis of the eccen in line (see Fig. and when out of engagement with the lined contacts nd the circuit is open, then the minor axis ol gear and the major axis of the pinion are in line and in this manner the switch tore/me is more nearly equalized and arcing inatei-ia reduced. The gearin is so correlated when the shaft 3% makes one-half a revolution the switch arms will make one quarter of i a revolution. Therefore, when the tube 22:2 is moved forwardly the escapenient pallet is released and the escapemont fan turns (one half a revolution) until the pallet 34-? engages the shoulder 22 when in its 'lforwai l posit bn and is arrested thereby. lhus during movement of the escapement the contact shoes have moved from oil to on and when the tube 22 is again moved rcarwardly the escape ment is released for another half revolution. and the contact shoes move from on to off position intermittent or step by step rotary impulse movement of the disc 2% under the actibn of the spring 27 is permitted or controlled by an impulse mechanism as follows: 50 indicates a stub shaft extending forwardly from. the casing wall d and journalled in a bushing 51 fixed in said wall. the the front end of said shaft is secured a pinion 52 meshin with the gear 26 on the spring barrel 2% all as bestshown in Fig. 8. To the rear of this pinion and fixed to said shaft is an impulse escapement embodying two opposed arms 53-54 each carrying inner and outer pallets ')353 and 54 and 54 respectivelv as best shown in Figs. l3, l8 and 19. The es capement is capable of one half a revolution at each instance of operation and the ratio of the pinion 52 to the gear 23 is such that each 1 lit impulse movement to t corresponding to the angular distance, be-

tween the markings on the dial 13 oi'the distance between the. notches 24 of said disc.

Mounted on the front face of the plate 9 on the right hand side of the time swltch as a whole when viewed from the front is a clock mechanism of ordinary construction and indicated as a whole by the numeral in Fig. 20. Said movement includes a main spring arbor 56, an impulse cam shaft 57, and a counter shaft 58. The arbor projects through therear casing plate 7 .and is there provided with a winding key 59. (see Fig. 2) for easy manipulation and operatively connected to said arbor in the usual manner is a spring and gear 56 and 56" respectively.

The gear meshes with a pinion 60 on" the counter shaft 58 which also carries a gear 61 and said gear in turn meshes with a pinion frictionally mounted on the cam shaft 57. Associated with the pinion 62 is a gear 63 which meshes with other gearing 64 actuating the balance wheel and escapement 65 of saidv clock mechanism in the usual manner.-

The frictional drive between the shaft 57 and pinion and gear 6263 is best shown in Fig.

between a collar 57 on the shaft and the rear end of the pinion and gear. Thus the pinion may slip on said shaft only when a certain turning pressure is imposed on said shaft. The forward end of said shaft 57 bears in a bushing 66 carried by the casing wall 4 while its rear end bears in a suitable opening in the plate 9. (in said forward end of said shaft is fixed a cam 67 having a single notch or drop shoulder 67 While on the rear end of the shaft is fixed a' knob 68 carrying a pointer 68. This knob is arranged in a suitable opening 69 in the casing wall 7 and about said opening on 'saidnvall are disposed graduations 69.

Associated with the cam 67 is a lever 70 pivoted at 71 to a studsecnred to the casing wall 4. The free end of said lever carries a pin. 70 projecting from one side of the same to bear and ride upon the periphery of the cam 67, and by turning-the knob in the suitable direction, the relative angular position of the drop shoulder 67? of thecam 67 with respect to the pinion 70 of the same may be changed to "either advance or retard the functioning of said cam as .desired. A spring 72 fixed to said lever'and to a pin 72 on the wall 4normally holds the leverv so that said pin engages'the periphery of the cam. On

' the opposite side of thefree end of. the lever 7 Dis a tooth 76 to be engaged by the pallets 53 and 53*, and 54 and 54" of the escape the outer pallet of the arm engages said tooth and stops the rotation of the escapement which has made one-half revolution. As the cam 67 is turned, through the clock mechanism-as before described, the follower pin 70 is elevated and as the high portion of the cam approaches the same, the pallet is free of the said tooth on the escapement arm and the inner pallet is again caught and'held thereby. Thus there are two movements'occurring in the release and catching of the escapement, a primary movement "when the inner pallet is released and a slight secondary movement when the outer pallct is released and inner one is again caught. This secondary movement is of no particular value in the time switch but is necessary to free the escapement pallets. As the escapement arms fly around a half a revoluton, they permit the disc 24 andlndlcator to be rotated in a clockwise direction an angular distance equal to the angular distance between adjacent notches 24 or between the division 1315l" on the dial 13. T'hesemovements of the indicator and disc are stepby step or impulse movements as is desired. It is pointed out that the clock mechanism imparts one complete revolution to the impulse cam-shaft in fifteen minutes and that the only function of said mechanism to so move said shaft and it has no other function.

.The inner and outer rows of openings 15 and 16 in the portion 12 of the dial plate are intended to removably receive plugs or pins 73 as best shown in Figs. 1, 5, 16 and 17. Each plug includes a head 7 5 and a split body 73". The body which is'cylindrical has a tapered inner end and inner and outer shoulders 7 3 and 73, the inner shoulder being beveled at substantially a right angle to that ofthe taper of the body. The tapered slit body permits the same to contract in diameter to freely enter a hole 1516 and when the inner tapered shoulder has passed tl'lrough said hole it tends to bottom the plug in the-hole with the outer shoulder engaging the face of the plate part 12 about said hole. Thus whensuch a plug is enga ed in a hole 1516 it cannot he accidentally isplaced in operation and it does not fit so tight therein as to'be difficult to withdraw.

' Means is provided which is rotative with the indicator hand 21 to engage those portions of the pins projecting rearwardly of the dial plate, andto impart an endwise movement to the tube 22 to automatically release and then stop the escapement arms 34 and 34: in succession. Such means comprises a fiat lever 74 fixed to the member 17, just to the rear of the dial plate 12. Said lever is formed to provide a longitudinally extending flange 7 49" and inner and outer transverse flanges 7 a and 7 d all projecting rearwardly from said lever as best shown in Figs. 6 and 7: @n the outer transverse flange is journalled a roller 75 adapted for rolling engagement upon the track forniedby the rear surface at the rearwardly oliset portion 12' of plate. Secured to the inner transver range is a flat spring arm 76 which can ries a tooth for yielding engagement in the notches 24 of the disc iii unted on the lon 'itudinal flange Te is a converter arrangement comprising a single lever 7 7 and a compound lever 78. pivoted at a pointbetween its ends on a screw 7E3 carried by the tiangc 7i and the outer end ercof is formed to provide plane or l adapted to coact witi the plugs 73 in outer row of holes 16 while the inner end is formed to provide a head 77 "to engage behind the flange 22" of the tube 22. The compound lever includes a lever arm 78 pivoted at a point between its ends on the screw 79 and a second lever arm 78 pivoted on a screw 79 carried in the flange 74;. The outer no. of the lever arm '78 is formed to provide ne or ringer 78 adapted to engage the nont face of the tube flange 22". The adjacent ends of the lever arms 78 and 78 are operatively connected together so that when the plane or finger 78 engages a plug 73 a movement in the same direction is imparted to the inner end of the lever arm 78 to move the tube 22 rearwardly. It is apparent that in the operation of the parts just described that when the finger 77 engages one of the pings 7 3 in the outer row of holes 16 which control the on periods said finger will climb over said plug and cause a rocking movement of the single lever 77 whereby thehead 7 7 on the inner end thereof will engage the tube flange 22 and move the tube forwardly. in the forward movement of. said tube the shoulder 2?. moves to free the escapement arm 34- which then rotates 180 when the escapement arm 341 engages and is stopped by said shoulder. In the rotation of theescapement arm the contact arms 47 and 48 in. the switch casing 35 are rotated by the gears 4d and 45 to bring them into engagement with the contacts 37 and 38 and complete the circuit through the conductors 4:0 and 41. liVhen the flat lever 7 a has rotated. suliiciently so that the finger 78 of the compound lever 78 engages a plug it will climb the same and rock the lever 78" and 7 8 The lever 78 will act to thrust or push the tube 22 rearwardly thus releasing theesc'apeme'nt'arm 34 and again catching or stopping the .escapement arm 343. In this movement of the escapement with the The single lever is same the switch arms 4748 move out of engagement with the contacts 37 and 38 and the circuit is broken and again off. By means of the indicia 49 on the disc 4:6 of the switch,

it is possible to at once ascertain visibly whether the switch is in its 0E or on position.

It is here pointed out that the roller takes up the thrust of the yieldingtooth carrying arm 76 and in this way the fiat lever or converter as it may be aptly termed is securely held at both its ends and against any bodily yielding induced by the plugs as the lever sweeps over the same. The planes or ringers 77 and 78 are so oriented or related with respect to the holes 15 and 16 in the dial, plate that the ends of the-path of travel of said lingers clear the holes on the advance sides thereof a short distance, say i/d i of an inch. lhis not only permits the levers to move freely at all times but also permits certain. manual controls later to be described to be operated in'nnediately after the snap switch in, the casing 35 has been turned on as before described. is shown in'Figs. l6 and 17 the planes or fingers are made with two angles whereby the movement is graduai and at a high leverage when the shouider 22 is being forced from under the teeth of the escapement arms. During the remaining parts this movement of the shoulder after the same is free from either escapement arm tooth the leverage is reduced as the resistance is reduced and in this manner the full eiiiciency of movement of said single and compound levers is utilized.

Under some conditions it might be desirable to manually trip the escapement so that the time switch may be actuated from 05 to on and vice versa at any time after it has been brought from one position or the other. To manually change the switch positions from off to on it provide a yielding arm 80 which is fixed at its bottom end to the inner surface of the plate 9 in the vertical plane of the spindle l8 and olfset forwardly of said-plate as best shown in Fig. 5. The top end of said yielding arm is bifurcated to straddle the bottom portion of the spindle to the rear of the shoulder 22 and has a forward extension 80 engaged with the rear side of said shoulder. Associated with said arm is a stem or button 81 fixed at its front end thereto and projecting at its rear end through a hole in' the rear casing wall 7 On the proj ecting end of said stem is depicted the word on as shown in Fig. 2 to indicate that this is the member to be actuated when it is desired to manually change the switch condition from off to on. By pressing inwardly on said button the top end of the arm engages the rear end of the shoulder 22 and moves it and the tube 22 forwardly and re-' leases the shoulder from one escapement arm pallet so that the escapementf actuates the button.

switch to on position, when the shoulder 22 will catch and stop the other escapement pallet. and hold it in the on position of the switch. When pressure is released on said button it springs back and stops under the action of a shoulder 81. on said stem or To manually shift the tube 22 to bring the switch from the on to the off position I provide a yielding arm 82 fixed at one end to the rear wall l of the front casing and offset forwardly between its ends to pass through an opening 1 in said casing wall (see Fig. '21). so that its top end may project up through an opening 3 in the casing walls 3 and 6. In said arm in the plane of the tube 22 is a suitable opening 82 through which said tube extends and the top end of said armcarries a button 82 on which appears the word Off. A leaf spring 83 on the rear face of the wall 4 engages and holds the arminitsnormal forward position. With the tube 22 in its forward position it is only necessary to push the button 82 rearwardly when the said arm which is in front of the shoulder 22 will shift the same rearwardly and release the on arm 34 of the escapement and thereafter be in a position to catch and stop the off arm 34? of the escapement.

Assume that it is desired to energize a certain piece,of mechanism at 9 :15 a. m. and to de-energize it at 9:30 a. m. so that it automatically comes on at 9 :15 a. m. and comes off at 9:30 a. in. Two plugs 73 would be used and one inserted in that hole 16 in line with the 9:15 a. m. markings on the dial 13 and the other is inserted in that hole 15 in line with the 9:30 a. m. markings on said ed or brought off I dial. Upon" the contact finger or plane 77 reaching the plug 7 3 in the said outer hole 16 the switch in the casing35 would be closed or brought on as before described and when the finger or plane 7 8 reaches the plug 73 in the inner hole 15 said switch would be openas before described. If no further on.or off period is desired and no other plugs 73 inserted in any other holes 15 and 16, it is apparent that after a lapse of twelve hours or one complete cycle of the indicator 21, the operation would be repeated at 9 :15 p. m. and 9 :30 p. m. To prevent such a repetition in each complete cycle of operation of the indicator I provide the following of said arm is a laterally extending tooth or pin 87 which projects rearwardly through a suitable opening in the plate 9 to overhang the disc 19 with notch 19 hereinbefore referred to. A coiled spring, 89 embraces the portion of the shaft forward of the collar 88 and has one end fixed to said collar and its other end fixed to the casing wall 4 in a manner causing said tooth 87* to yield mgly bear upon the periphery of the disc 19.

at a point between its endsas at 92 on the front face of the plate 9. The top 'end of said lever is formed with a head 91 for easy manipulation and which extends up through an opening 3 in the casing wall 6 near the top thereof. On one face of said lever head is depicted an arrow indicating the direction in which it should be manipulated, and this is in a clockwise direction as shown in Figs. 1, 13 and 20. A spring 93 fixed at one end to the top arm of the lever and to a fixed part in the plate 9 normally holds it in one position engaged against a pin 93 on the plate 9. On the rear side of the bottom arm of said lever are two rearwardly extending upper and lower pins 91 and 91 respectively, between which normally extends the free end of the longer latch arm 86*. The free end of said bottom arm of the lever is offset latcrally and then forwardly to provide a finger 91 which is adapted to pro ect into a position to be engaged by a second pallet 34 on the off escapement arm or blade 3 1", said pallet being offset forwardly and to that side of said blade or arm opposite the pallet 34.

When the lever 91 is in the inoperative osi tion, that is when the off arm 34* o the escapement is, locked by the finger 91, thespring 93 is holding the upper part of said lever against the stop pin 93, and the pin 91 on said lever is engaged against the under side of the long latch 86"; the arm 87 being in a position wherein its pin 87 just clears the periphery of the disc 19. In other words when the escapement arm 34* is locked by. the finger 91 the disc follower pin 87 is free of the disc so that the pin 87 is unable to catch in the disc notch 19 as the notch passes the same in the rotation of the disc. The func, tion of the pin 91 is to hold saidlever in this position by striking the latch 86"as it moves counter clockwise to off position. The spring 89 is then held 'intiperative by the more powerful spring 93. s soon as the lever 91 is moved'clockwise to operative pin 91 moves away from the late permitting the spring "to press the pin 87" a ainst the periphery of the disc 19. When t e'pin 87 enters the notch 19 in the rotation of the disc, the pin 87" releases the lever 91 and it is moved to engage the stop pin-92 when the osition, the

pin 91 strikes the end of the long latch 86 and raises the pin 87 free of the disc 19 as before.

In Fig. 1 I have illustrated the device as controlling the A battery circuit of a radio receiving set 96 whereby the "oil" and on periods of broadcast deceptions may be readily brought about while in Fig. 2 l have shown the device as controlling the conductor of a battery of electric lamps 97 such as used in store windows or display sign illumination, to control the oil and on periods thereof.

In Figs. 25, 26 and 2'? l have shown a modi lied form of the invention in which there is substituted for the cloelf-mechanism 55 heretofore described as driving the impulse control, an electro inagi'ietic means intended to operate on the regular sixty impulses per hour such as employed in synchronized clock sys" tems. in said figures 57* indicates the inn pulse escapemcnt shaft carrying the escapement arms 53 and 5e hefore described. Fixed to this shaft is a pinion 52 meshing with a gear 26- on the disc 24. An auxiliary spring barrel 100 is secured to said shaft to house a spiral fiat spring 101 the outer end of which is fixed to said barrel and the inner end of which is fixed to a sleeve 102 on said shaft. Carried on saidsleeve is a gear 103 meshing with a pinion 104; secured to a by step rotative shaft 105 and which corresponds with the shaft 57 before described. Elaid shaft carries a cam 07* and a knob 08 similar to and for the same purpose as the cam 0'? and knob 68 before described. A ratchet wheel 100 is lined on the shaft 105 to the rear of the casing wall and rockable on said shaft is anarmature 10'? including an arm 107 to which is pivoted a ratchet feeding pawl 10?". A coiled spring 108 connects the arm 107 with a fixed part of the casing wall a and holds it up against a pin 109 projecting from said wall. Also mounted on said wall is a ratchet holding pawl 107 to prevent unwinding of the spring 101. A rocking motion in one direction againstthe action of the spring 108 is produced by a pair of 'electro-magne'ts 111 mounted on a suitable bracket on the rear wall 1 of the casing. There are fifteen teeth on the ratchet 106, one for every minute so that for each impulse delivered to the magnets, the ratchet is advanced one tooth and as the ratio of the gearing 103 and 10 1 is as two is to one the spring 101 is wound up half a turn for every turn of the ratchet wheel 100 and for every turn of the cam 67 the escapement makes a half a revolution thus unwinding the spring a' half a turn and in this way it is always maintained wound up within half a turn.

With such a construction the main spring 27 is employed to actuate the electrical snap switch in the casing 35 and therefore there is attached to the spring barrel 25 (see Fig. 28) a gear 26 which meshes with a pinion 34* on shaft 34 and this in turn drives the switch in the casing 35 as before. The main spring winding gear 29* is operatively engaged by a pinion 30" on a winding shaft 31 having a holding pawl and ratchet 28*.

In operation, the desired number of plugs 73 may be inserted in the desired holes 15 and 10 in line with the proper indications for the desired time periods. Each fifteen minutes the indicator 21 and the lever plate 74 receives an impulse in a clockwise direction. It the elapsed time period desired between the on and oil operation happens to be for a part only of a fifteen minute period. this may be compensated. for by turni the ltnob 08 in one direction or the other web-y :Jhe lever i0 is depressed at the prop or time and the escapen'ient arms and 5 are released to permit movement of the disc 2% and snap switch in the casing The dcv may be manually set in motion open and do a circuit at any time, Sim-- ply hy moviir her the spring arm 82 or stem 81 to actuate the tube Upon actuating the lever 91,v the device is set in an on position and wi repeat at the end of a twelve hour period 1 er operation, since the notch 19 trips said lever out, at the end of each 12 hour period.

The device is compact in size and has the I;

appearance of an ordinary household alarm clock and is'indeed portable. The dial being stationary permits of ready reading and eliminates errors in the desired distribution of the plugs. lhe device is positive and accurate in. operation and may be readily operated by the average layman and does not present the appearance of a laboratory instrument but one familiar in every household.

While in describing my invention, l have referred in detail to the form, construction and arrangement-of the parts thereof, ll do not wish to be limited thereto except as may be pointed out in the appended claims.

I claim as my invention:

1. A time switch embodying therein a nonrotative control dial, a rotative indicator operatively associated therewith, means for imparting an impulse movement to the indicator, an escapement mechanism controlling the operation of said impulse means, a switch driven by said escapement, a pallet for controlling the escapement mechanism, and means for actuating the pallet in timed relation with definite positions of said indicator.

2. A time switch embodying therein a nonrotative control dial, a rotative indicator operatively associated therewith, means for imparting an impulse movement to the indicator, an escapement mechanism controlling the operation of said impulse means, a switch driven by said escapement, a pallet for controlling the escapement. mechanism, and means for manually actuating the pallet.

lit)

4.. A time switch embodying therein, a non-- rotative control dial having time divisions thereon, a rotative indicator associated therewith, means tor mparting an impulse movement to the indicator from one time division.

to the other, an escapement controlling said impulse means, a pallet controlling said escapement, plugs adapted to be positioned in said dial in predetermined arrangement with said time divisions thereon, and means actuated upon engagement with said plugs for actuating'the pallet. I

5. A time switch embodying thereih, a nonrotative control dial having time divisions thereon, a rotative indicator associated there-- with, means for imparting an impulse movement to the indicator from one time division to the other, an escapegnent controlling said impulse means, a pallet controlling said escapement, plugs adapted to be positioned in said dial in predetermined.arrangement with said time divisions thereon, and means including a single and a compound lever movable with the indicator and operable upon engagement with said plugs to actuate the pallet.

6. A time switch embodying therein, a nonrotative dial, a rotative indicator operatively associated therewith, means for imparting an impulse movement to the indicator, an escapement mechanism for controlling the operation of said impulse movement means, and means for preventing the repeating action of said escapement after a complete cycle of operation of said indicator.

7. A time switch embodying therein, a non rot-ative dial, a rotative indicator operatively" associated therewith, means for imparting an mpulse movement to the indicator, an

esca'pement mechanism for controlling the' operation of said impulse movement means,

manually set means normally disengaged from the esca ement and operable in timed relation with the indicator to be automatically released and to engage the escapement mechanism and prevent a repeating thereof after a complete cycle oioperation of the indicator.

8. A time switch embodying therein, a main dial having time divisions,thereon, an indicator operatively associated therewith, a shaft on which said indicator is mounted and means for setting the indicator including a collar fixed on said shaft and a collar loose on said shaft and capable of being operatively engagedwith the first collar to rotate the same in one direction only.

9. A time switch embodying therein, a dial having time divisions thereon and inner and outer rows of openings to receive plugs in line with certain of said divisions,a step by step rotative member carrying levers to engage said plugs, means for 'impa'rtinv an impulse movement to said member inclu ing a disc, and means for advancing or retarding said disc with respect to said member.

10. A time switch embodying therein, a dial having time divisions thereon and inner and outer rows of openings to receive plugs in line with certain of said divisions, a step by step rotative member carrying levers to engage said plugs, means for imparting an impulse movement to said member including a disc, an escapement driven by said disc, a lever for holding and releasing said escapement and means associated with said lever and including a cam for controlling said holding and releasing of the lever with respect to said escapement.

Ill. In combination with a rotary snap switch, means normally acting to rotate said switch and including a motor and escapement, means for normally holding the escapement against operation, a step by step rotatmg member, a control dial with openings therein, control devices adapted to be insorted in openings in said dial and means operative upon engagement by said step by step rotating member with said control fingers for actuating the means normally holding the escapement to release it so that the same will actuate the switch.

In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand, this 7 day of September, 1926.

i CHARLES M. PEACOGK. 

